Peter Moores believes England’s stunning comeback in the second Test against New Zealand is a sure sign of a side developing into one capable of challenging the world’s best opposition.

Three times in the last four Tests, the England coach has watched his side emerge victorious from positions where New Zealand were favourites to triumph.

“I think the side’s developing at the moment and we’ve made no bones about that,” said Moores. “The fact that we’ve won this Test is fantastic – the fact we’ve won three Tests out of the last four is great with a developing team.”

At Wellington and Napier England fought back strongly to win the series and, facing a 179-run first-innings deficit, they responded with a stunning display to claim a six-wicket triumph in the second npower Test at Old Trafford.

Those victories have convinced Moores that despite a misfiring top order, who have not posted a first-innings total in excess of 400 for 11 Tests, England are moving in the right direction.

“The team has changed a lot and is developing and it’s finding itself. To win along the way creates a bit of space, but the sign of an emerging, good team is when you win games you shouldn’t win and when you win games scrappily.

“We’ve done that, not just here but also in New Zealand when we had to scrap very hard.

“In Wellington, (Paul) Collingwood and (Tim) Ambrose had a big partnership from a tough position and in Napier we lost wickets earlier and (Kevin) Pietersen got a score to put us in a good position, so this side is showing good traits.”